Silver Wheaton Reports a Strong Start to 2012 with Record Quarterly Revenues of US$200 Million

Monday, May 14, 2012

Silver Wheaton Reports a Strong Start to 2012 with Record Quarterly Revenues of US$200 Million06:30 EDT Monday, May 14, 2012TSX: SLWNYSE: SLWVANCOUVER, May 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Silver Wheaton Corp. ("Silver Wheaton" or the "Company") (TSX:SLW)(NYSE:SLW) is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTSAttributable silver equivalent production of 6.7 million ounces (6.6 million ounces of silver and 2,100 ounces of gold), an increase of 8% compared with Q1 2011.Revenues increased 26% compared with Q1 2011, to a record US$199.6 million, on record silver equivalent sales of 6.1 million ounces (5.9 million ounces of silver and 3,900 ounces of gold).Net earnings increased 20% compared with Q1 2011, to US$147.2 million (US$0.42 per share).Operating cash flows increased 29% compared with Q1 2011, to US$163.8 million (US$0.46 per share1).Cash operating margin1 increased slightly compared with Q1 2011, to US$28.51 per silver equivalent ounce, amongst the highest in the sector.Average cash costs of US$4.081 per silver equivalent ounce (US$4.02 per ounce of silver and US$303 per ounce of gold), relatively unchanged from Q1 2011.Cash balance of US$997.5 million, with a net cash position of US$926.0 million at the end of Q1 2012.Declared quarterly dividend of US$0.09 per common share, representing 20% of the cash generated by operating activities during the three months ended December 31, 2011.Announced attributable proven and probable silver reserves of 798 million ounces, nearly twice the reserves of any other silver company in the world."Solid operating performance from across our portfolio of mines led to a strong start in 2012," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Wheaton. "We achieved record quarterly revenues, and are on target to attaining our annual production guidance of 27 million silver equivalent ounces. With continued positive progress at our world-class cornerstone assets, including the Peñasquito and Pascua-Lama mines, Silver Wheaton retains one of the strongest growth profiles in the sector.""While there continues to be a strong trend of expanding capital needs in the mining industry, challenging global financial markets have made access to traditional forms of capital, such as debt and equity, much more difficult. In this environment, Silver Wheaton's streaming model offers a particularly attractive funding solution for mining companies, and we continue pursuing value-enhancing acquisitions. With approximately US$1 billion in cash on hand, a fully undrawn $400 million revolving credit facility, and forecast annual operating cash flows in excess of $600 million at current precious metals prices, Silver Wheaton is exceptionally well-positioned to grow its portfolio of high-quality precious metals streams, further boosting its long-term production levels."Financial ReviewRevenuesRevenue was US$199.6 million in the first quarter of 2012, on silver equivalent sales of 6.1 million ounces (5.9 million ounces of silver and 3,900 ounces of gold), a record for the Company. This represents a 26% increase from the US$158.2 million of revenue generated in the first quarter of 2011, due to a 25% increase in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold. Increased sales were primarily related to the timing of shipments of stockpiled concentrate and to increased production at some of the mines underlying the Company's silver purchase agreements.Costs and ExpensesAverage cash costs in the first quarter of 2012 were US$4.081 per silver equivalent ounce, compared with US$4.071 during the comparable period of 2011. This resulted in cash operating margins1 of US$28.51 per silver equivalent ounce, a slight increase compared to the first quarter of 2011.During the first quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an income tax expense of US$3.3 million, which includes a non-cash deferred income tax expense of US$3.1 million, attributable primarily to the reversal of previously recognized deferred income tax assets relating to the decline in fair value of long-term investments in common shares and to income from Canadian operations. This compared to an income tax recovery of $2.3 million in the comparable period of the previous year, which included a non-cash deferred income tax recovery of $2.5 million.Earnings and Operating Cash FlowsNet earnings in the first quarter of 2012 were US$147.2 million (US$0.42 per share), compared with US$122.2 (US$0.35 per share) for the same period in 2011, an increase of 20%. Cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2012 was US$163.8 million (US$0.46 per share1), compared with US$127.2 million (US$0.36 per share1) for the same period in 2011, an increase of 29% (an increase of 28% on a per share basis). The increase in net earnings and operating cash flows is primarily attributable to a 25% increase in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold.Balance SheetAt March 31, 2012, the Company had approximately US$997 million of cash on hand. In addition, the Company had US$400 million of available credit under its revolving bank debt facility. The combination of cash, available credit, and strong operating cash flows, positions the Company well to execute on its growth strategy of acquiring additional accretive silver stream interests.Operational Highlights Attributable silver equivalent production was 6.7 million ounces (6.6 million ounces of silver and 2,100 ounces of gold) in the first quarter of 2012, representing an increase of 8% compared to the first quarter of 2011.Operational highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 are as follows:Peñasquito -As stated in Goldcorp Inc.'s ("Goldcorp") press release dated March 28, 2012, the high pressure grinding roll supplemental feed system at the Peñasquito mine was successfully commissioned during the first quarter of 2012. Throughput in the last three weeks of March 2012 averaged over 110,000 tonnes per day, and included record daily throughput of 143,000 tonnes on March 13, 2012. In the ten days prior to mid-April, throughput averaged 123,000 tonnes per day. Activities at Peñasquito over the balance of 2012 will focus on further optimization of the processing line. Peñasquito will become Silver Wheaton's largest contributor of silver production in 2012, with forecast attributable silver production of approximately 7 million ounces.Pascua-Lama -As stated by Barrick Gold Corporation in its first quarter 2012 MD&A, the Pascua-Lama project remains on track to commence production in mid-2013, with over 70% of the previously announced pre-production capital budget of $4.7 to $5.0 billion committed. At the end of the first quarter, earthworks in Chile and Argentina were approximately 97% and 73% complete, respectively, with pre-stripping expected to commence during the second quarter. Once in production, Pascua-Lama is forecast to be one of the largest and lowest cost gold mines in the world with an expected mine life in excess of 25 years. In its first full five years of operation, Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is expected to average nine million ounces annually.San Dimas -As per Primero Mining Corp.'s ("Primero") March 28, 2012 disclosure, in an effort to improve mine planning and expand long-term production levels at its San Dimas mine, Primero elected to utilize block modeling to estimate its mineral reserves and resources rather than the polygonal method, which it had used historically. The estimates made using this new approach resulted in a reduction in both silver reserves and inferred resources at the San Dimas mine, as of December 31, 2011.Primero's disclosure also states that there is significant exploration potential at San Dimas beyond the stated mineral reserves and resources, some of which has been reported as mineral potential. Further details can be found in their March 28, 2012 disclosure. Primero believes that the new estimation approach will improve mine planning, and that further drilling and mine development will result in mineral resources being converted to mineral reserves, a reasonable amount of the exploration potential being converted to inferred resources, and new mineral discoveries being realized.Produced But Not Yet Delivered -Payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered to Silver Wheaton by its partners was virtually unchanged in the first quarter, with a total of approximately 4.2 million payable ounces at March 31, 2012. The total is primarily attributable to Glencore International AG's Yauliyacu mine, and Goldcorp's Penasquito mine, where approximately 1.7 million and 1.3 million ounces of cumulative payable silver ounces have been produced but not yet delivered to the Company, respectively.Detailed mine by mine production and sales figures can be found in the Appendix of this press release and in Silver Wheaton's Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") in the 'Results of Operations and Operational Review' section.This earnings release should be read in conjunction with Silver Wheaton's MD&A and unaudited Financial Statements, which are available on the Company's website at www.silverwheaton.com and have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.----------------------------------------- 1 Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.Webcast and Conference Call DetailsA conference call will be held Monday, May 14, 2012, starting at 11:00 am (Eastern Time) to discuss these results. To participate in the live call please use one of the following methods:Dial toll free from Canada or the US: 1-888-231-8191Dial from outside Canada or the US: 1-647-427-7450Pass code: 71685970Live audio webcast: www.silverwheaton.comParticipants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.The conference call will be recorded and you can listen to an archive of the call by one of the following methods:Dial toll free from Canada or the US: 1-855-859-2056Dial from outside Canada or the US: 1-416-849-0833Pass code: 71685970Archived audio webcast: www.silverwheaton.comAbout Silver WheatonSilver Wheaton is the largest silver streaming company in the world. Based upon its current agreements, forecast 2012 attributable production is approximately 27 million silver equivalent ounces, including 16,500 ounces of gold. By 2016, annual attributable production is anticipated to increase significantly to approximately 43 million silver equivalent ounces, including 35,000 ounces of gold. This growth is driven by the Company's portfolio of world-class assets, including silver streams on Goldcorp's Peñasquito mine and Barrick's Pascua-Lama project. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTSThe information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of silver and gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, reserve determination, reserve conversion rates and statements as to any future dividends. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Silver Wheaton to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: fluctuations in the price of silver and gold; the absence of control over mining operations from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver or gold and risks related to these mining operations including risks related to fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities mined at such operations, actual results of mining and exploration activities, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which the mining operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; and differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations; as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in Silver Wheaton's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in Silver Wheaton's Form 40-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the mining operations from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver or gold, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the mining operations will operate and the mining projects will be completed in accordance with their public statements and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although Silver Wheaton has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Silver Wheaton does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.Consolidated Statement of Earnings (unaudited) Three Months EndedMarch 31(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited) 20122011Sales $199,638$158,183Cost of sales Cost of sales, excluding depletion $25,019$19,948 Depletion 17,206 11,684Total cost of sales $42,225$31,632Earnings from operations $157,413$126,551Expenses and other income General and administrative 1 $7,564$6,501 Foreign exchange gain (30) (4) Other (income) expense (650) 140 $6,884$6,637Earnings before income taxes $150,529$119,914Income tax (expense) recovery (3,348) 2,262Net earnings $147,181$122,176 Basic earnings per share $0.42$0.35Diluted earnings per share $0.41$0.34 Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic 353,529 352,898 Diluted 355,943 355,9031) Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash item) included in general and administrative expenses. $1,659$1,255Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) March 31December 31(US dollars in thousands - unaudited)20122011Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $997,489$840,201 Accounts receivable 6,217 3,890 Other 1,336 1,221Total current assets $1,005,042$845,312Non-current assets Silver and gold interests $1,857,112$1,871,726 Long-term investments 141,589 151,621 Deferred income taxes 744 2,301 Other 1,352 1,375Total non-current assets $2,000,797$2,027,023Total assets $3,005,839$2,872,335Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $6,575$8,709 Dividends payable 31,829 - Current portion of bank debt 28,560 28,560 Current portion of silver interest payments 132,989 130,789Total current liabilities $199,953$168,058Non-current liabilities Long-term portion of bank debt 42,920 50,060Total liabilities $242,873$218,118Shareholders' equity Issued capital $1,795,951$1,793,772Reserves 16,640 25,422Retained earnings 950,375 835,023Total shareholders' equity $2,762,966$2,654,217Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $3,005,839$2,872,335 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) Three Months EndedMarch 31(US dollars in thousands - unaudited) 20122011Operating activities Net earnings $147,181$122,176Adjustments for Depreciation and depletion 17,267 11,754 Equity settled stock based compensation 1,659 1,255 Deferred income tax expense (recovery) 3,068 (2,519) (Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held (675) 66 Investment income recognized in net earnings (319) (209) Other (98) (133)Change in non-cash operating working capital (4,574) (5,392)Operating cash flows before interest income $163,509$126,998Interest income received 302 198Cash generated by operating activities$163,811$127,196Financing activities Bank debt repaid $(7,140)$(7,140)Share purchase warrants exercised 10 61Share purchase options exercised 924 4,395Dividends paid - (10,595)Cash applied to financing activities$(6,206)$(13,279)Investing activities Silver and gold interests $(180)$(2,542)Silver and gold interests - interest paid (215) (315)Dividend income received 17 11Proceeds on disposal of long-term investments - 24,270Other (20) (8)Cash (applied to) generated by investing activities$(398)$21,416Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents$81$106Increase in cash and cash equivalents$157,288$135,439Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 840,201 428,636Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$997,489$564,075Summary of Ounces Produced and Sold 201220112010(in thousands)Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1Q4Q3Q2Silver ounces produced 1 San Dimas 2 1,692 1,578 1,251 1,150 1,606 1,586 1,255 1,110Zinkgruvan 642 390 379 414 508 428 508 478Yauliyacu 550 583 608 674 683 651 633 692Peñasquito 1,365 1,633 1,162 1,282 1,207 1,260 1,109 866Cozamin 405 433 395 414 325 335 381 286Barrick 3 667 723 794 741 722 458 682 697Other 4 1,288 1,389 1,272 1,153 1,088 1,245 1,069 1,240 6,609 6,729 5,861 5,828 6,139 5,963 5,637 5,369Silver equivalent ounces of gold produced 5 Minto 107 202 257 261 97 205 402 522Silver equivalent ounces produced 6,716 6,931 6,118 6,089 6,236 6,168 6,039 5,891Silver ounces sold San Dimas 2 1,701 1,488 1,232 1,149 1,748 1,438 1,274 1,076Zinkgruvan 517 425 319 401 321 421 635 313Yauliyacu 497 655 11 471 120 470 87 517Peñasquito 1,189 851 1,382 961 941 1,169 692 656Cozamin 376 374 335 281 271 411 306 412Barrick 3 656 755 747 726 680 482 533 727Other 4 992 1,230 770 862 741 1,139 750 943 5,928 5,778 4,796 4,851 4,822 5,530 4,277 4,644Silver equivalent ounces of gold sold 5 Minto 198 196 316 227 83 127 411 496Silver equivalent ounces sold 6,126 5,974 5,112 5,078 4,905 5,657 4,688 5,140Gold / silver ratio 5 51.2 51.9 50.4 40.1 33.0 49.7 57.7 65.4Cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered 6 4,166 4,127 3,805 3,537 3,018 2,275 2,174 1,4031) Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Certain production figures are based on management estimates.2) Beginning in the third quarter of 2010, the ounces produced and sold include ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp's four year commitment to deliver to Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum resulting from their sale of San Dimas to Primero.3) Comprised of the Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.4) Comprised of the Los Filos, Mineral Park, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Keno Hill, Minto, Aljustrel and Campo Morado silver interests in addition to the previously owned La Negra and San Martin silver interests. 5) Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis on the ratio of the average silver price received to the average gold price received during the period from the assets that produce both gold and silver. 6) Based on management estimates.Results of Operations (unaudited)Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 OuncesProduced 2OuncesSoldSales(US$'s)AverageRealizedPrice(US$'sPerOunce)AverageCash Cost(US$'sPerOunce) 3AverageDepletion(US$'sPerOunce)NetEarnings(US$'s)Cash FlowFromOperations(US$'s)Total Assets(US$'s)Silver San Dimas 41,6921,701$55,566$32.66$4.09$0.79$47,267$48,606$166,188 Zinkgruvan642517 16,938 32.73 4.14 1.68 13,927 13,495 56,771 Yauliyacu550497 15,586 31.36 4.02 5.02 11,094 13,588 227,518 Peñasquito1,3651,189 38,760 32.61 3.99 2.96 30,500 34,018 501,455 Cozamin405376 12,609 33.58 4.08 4.05 9,557 10,139 23,595 Barrick 5667656 21,503 32.80 3.90 4.34 16,100 18,946 600,651 Other 61,288992 32,200 32.44 3.95 3.99 24,320 27,051 247,933 6,6095,928$193,162$32.58$4.02$2.79$152,765$165,843$1,824,111Gold Minto2,0883,860 6,476 1,678 303 171 4,648 5,149 33,001Silver equivalent 76,7166,126$199,638$32.59$4.08$2.81$157,413$170,992$1,857,112Corporate General and administrative $(7,564) Other (2,668) Total corporate $(10,232)$(7,181)$1,148,727 6,716 6,126 $199,638 $32.59 $4.08 $2.81 $147,181 $163,811 $3,005,839 1) All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per ounce amounts.2) Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Certain production figures are based on management estimates.3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.4) Results for San Dimas include 375,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp's four year commitment to deliver to Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum resulting from their sale of San Dimas to Primero.5) Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.6) Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont silver and gold interest and Loma de La Plata silver interest.7) Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis on the ratio of the average silver price received to the average gold price received during the period from the assets that produce both gold and silver.Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 OuncesProduced 2OuncesSoldSales(US$'s)AverageRealizedPrice(US$'sPerOunce)AverageCash Cost(US$'sPerOunce) 3AverageDepletion(US$'sPerOunce)NetEarnings(US$'s)Cash FlowFromOperations(US$'s)Total Assets(US$'s)Silver San Dimas 41,6061,748$58,371$33.39$4.04$0.71$50,051$50,203$170,274 Zinkgruvan508321 11,049 34.41 4.08 1.69 9,195 9,606 59,578 Yauliyacu683120 3,523 29.36 3.98 5.02 2,443 3,045 235,718 Peñasquito1,207941 27,020 28.72 3.90 2.41 21,085 23,351 512,664 Cozamin325271 8,651 31.87 4.04 4.62 6,299 7,776 29,694 Barrick 5722680 21,663 31.84 3.90 3.55 16,595 17,451 597,453 Other 61,088741 24,027 32.44 3.93 3.95 18,186 20,184 264,138 6,1394,822$154,304$32.00$3.98$2.33$123,854$131,616$1,869,519Gold Minto2,9252,524 3,879 1,537 300 168 2,697 2,870 36,322Silver equivalent 76,2364,905$158,183$32.24$4.07$2.38$126,551$134,486$1,905,841Corporate General and administrative $(6,501) Other 2,126 Total corporate $(4,375)$(7,290)$851,224 6,236 4,905 $158,183$32.24 $4.07 $2.38$122,176$127,196 $2,757,0651) All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per ounce amounts.2) Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Certain production figures are based on management estimates.3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.4) Results for San Dimas include 375,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp's four year commitment to deliver to Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum resulting from their sale of San Dimas to Primero.5) Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.6) Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont silver and gold interest and Loma de La Plata silver interest.7) Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis on the ratio of the average silver price received to the average gold price received during the period from the assets that produce both gold and silver.Non-IFRS MeasuresSilver Wheaton has included, throughout this document, certain non-IFRS performance measures, including (i) average cash costs of silver and gold on a per ounce basis; (ii) operating cash flows per share (basic and diluted); and (iii) cash operating margin.i. Average cash cost of silver and gold on a per ounce basis is calculated by dividing the total cost of sales, less depletion, by the ounces sold. In the precious metals mining industry, this is a common performance measure but does not have any standardized meaning. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow.ii. Operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted) is calculated by dividing cash generated by operating activities by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted). The Company presents operating cash flow per share as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis.iii. Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost of silver and gold on a per ounce basis from the average realized selling price of silver and gold on a per ounce basis. The Company presents cash operating margin as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis.These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and other companies may calculate these measures differently. The presentation of these non-IFRS measures is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more detailed information, please refer to pages 14 to 16 of Silver Wheaton's Management Discussion and Analysis available on the Company's website at www.silverwheaton.com and posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For further information: Brad Kopp Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Silver Wheaton Corp. Tel: 1-800-380-8687 Email: info@silverwheaton.com Website: www.silverwheaton.com

Restrictions

All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters is not liable for any errors or delays in Thomson Reuters content, or for any actions taken in reliance on such content. ‘Thomson Reuters’ and the Thomson Reuters logo are trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.